Introduction
As of March 2025, overcrowding was reported in 135 correctional facilities: 20 under common law and 115 under both common law and federal jurisdiction. In comparison, March of the previous year saw 121 overcrowded institutions: 101 under common law and federal jurisdiction, and 20 under common law.
Official Statistics
According to the Mexican government’s Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) on preventive and rehabilitative social measures, the official data indicates that as of March 2024, there were 222,050 available spaces in 280 correctional facilities (federal and local), with an overcrowding rate of 4.8%. However, in March 2025, the 275 operating prisons registered an overcrowding rate of 8.3%, with 223,836 inmates exceeding their installed capacity.
Sentenced vs. Pre-Trial Inmates
Sentences:
The “Monthly Information Statistical Notebook of the National Prison. March 2025” reveals that the number of sentenced inmates in federal penitentiaries has decreased compared to last year (16,404 vs. 17,004), while the number of pre-trial detainees has increased (12,373 vs. 12,110).
As of March of the current year, the total number of individuals deprived of their liberty in Mexico is 242,457 – 227,948 males (94.02%) and 14,509 females (5.98%). In comparison, March of the previous year saw 232,859 individuals deprived of their liberty – 219,561 males (94.29%) and 13,298 females (5.71%).
The 16,404 sentenced inmates in federal prisons represent 6.7% of the total 28,777 incarcerated (11.87% of the total), while 5.1% of the 12,373 pre-trial detainees remain unsentenced. In March of the previous year, there were 17,004 sentenced inmates (7.3% of 29,114, or 12.50% of the total), and 12,110 pre-trial detainees (5.20%).
Inmates by Jurisdiction
As of March 2025, there were 213,680 inmates under common law jurisdiction (88.13% of the total), with 133,445 sentenced (55.04%) and 80,235 awaiting sentence (33.09%). In comparison, March 2024 saw 203,745 inmates (87.50% of the total), with 127,497 sentenced (54.75%) and 76,248 awaiting sentence (32.75%).
During the previous month, 16,329 inmates were admitted – 14,784 males (90.54%) and 1,545 females (9.46%) – and 14,084 were released – 12,800 males (90.88%) and 1,284 females (9.12%). In the same period in 2024, 14,759 individuals were imprisoned – 13,442 males (91.08%) and 1,317 females (8.92%), while 13,225 males (90.68%) and 1,359 females (9.32%) were released, totaling 14,584.
Of the 275 correctional facilities registered this year across Mexico, 14 (5.9%) operated by the federal government have 28,200 spaces; 13 (4.73%) run by the Mexico City government have 28,701 spaces; and 248 (90.18%) managed by state governments have 166,935 spaces.
State-by-State Situation
State Situation:
Nayarit leads the list of overcrowded prisons, followed by the State of Mexico, Durango, Morelos, and Sonora.
With three prisons capable of housing up to 1,173 individuals (0.52% of the total 223,836 prison spaces nationwide), Nayarit has 3,093 inmates (163.68% more).
The State of Mexico, with 21 prisons capable of housing 14,481 inmates (6.47% of the total), has an occupancy rate of 36,174 – a 149.80% overcapacity.
Durango has three prisons with a capacity for 2,295 inmates, yet there are 4,574 people imprisoned (99.30% more).
Morelos has 2,047 spaces in five prisons, but there are 3,917 inmates (91.35% more).
In Sonora, overcrowding reaches 53.43% as there are 7,988 available spaces in its 13 prisons, yet there are 12,256 inmates – 4,268 more than the available spaces.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What is the current state of prison overcrowding in Mexico? A: As of March 2025, overcrowding has nearly doubled in Mexican prisons, with 275 facilities operating at an 8.3% overcapacity rate, housing 223,836 inmates.
- Q: How have sentenced and pre-trial inmate numbers changed? A: The number of sentenced inmates has decreased from 17,004 (March 2024) to 16,404 (March 2025), while pre-trial detainees have increased from 12,110 to 12,373.
- Q: Which states have the most severe prison overcrowding issues? A: Nayarit, the State of Mexico, Durango, Morelos, and Sonora are experiencing the most severe prison overcrowding issues.
- Q: How many prisons are operated by the federal, state, and local governments? A: There are 14 federal, 13 Mexico City, and 248 state-run prisons, totaling 275 facilities across Mexico.
